I’m sure I’m not the only one who waited until the last minute. I need a costume for my sister’s party tonight. I had originally planned on Joe Strummer, which remains a possibility if necessary. But, I’m sure most people wouldn’t get it and have no idea who Joe Strummer is (the lead singer of The Clash, btw).
So, I usually go for cute/sexy or scary. Don’t usually go for funny/gross costumes. I have right now some clothes that could work for a few costumes, like a red polka dot dress that would be good for Lucille Ball (don’t have red hair though) or a Navy peacoat if I wanted to go as a sailor again. I’m great with makeup and have a ton, so zombie is never out of the question. Nor is pirate, but I hesitate as that’s rather played out. I have short dark hair that does the whole “flapper” thing on its own, I just don’t have a dress that’s flapper-ish.
Big problem- I’m totally broke, so I can’t go buy anything (like I’d want to go into a costume store this time of year). This has to be done with general household objects. Paint, cardboard, closets full of random junk- check. Sewing machine for minor alterations- check. Big bag of fabric scraps- check.
So, help me out, please. I need this costume in about 6 hours.
Fashion two semi-circles out of red poster board for the shell, and put three or four large black dots on each half. Use black tape (I used black duct tape) to tape the two halves together in the middle; punch a couple of holes up top to string some yarn through. Tie the yarn (after using a couple a couple of safety pins to secure the yarn to your shoulder so the yarn doesn’t pull on your neck!) around the front to secure the shell. Wear black clothing, and make some antenna (I used pipecleaners and yarn) and attach to a headband. Ladybug!
or
Go as a magic eight ball!
Wear all black (I wore black jeans and a black hoodie with a kangaroo pouch to store the responses.) Using white fabric (or posterboard, if you have no fabric), cut a decent sized circle. With magic marker, draw the number eight on the circle. Fasten the circle onto the center of your shirt. On slips of paper write out the responses for the magic eight ball (see here.) When people ask if you’re a regular pool ball, start jumping up and down and tell them to ask you a question. Pull out one of the responses to the question. Ta-da!
I’ve had luck buying a cheap, oversized, outfit at a thrift store and wearing it backwards with a cheap face mask (from the drug store selection) on the back of my head. Backwards person.
I also changed my costume at the last minute (my original costume wasn’t working out and I decided to cut my losses while I still had time to do something else). I went out this morning and bought a black cape, a witch’s hat and a broom to go with a black dress that I have in my closet. Not terribly original, but I’ll get to enjoy my Sunday.
What did you end up wearing, RedRoses? And, more importantly, did you get pictures? I’d love to see the final product.
I decided to go as the Magic 8 Ball, because it was so easy to do. Simple white paper circle with a black 8 in the middle taped to a black shirt, and I cut triangles out of blue construction paper to write the responses on (after I thought about it, the answers looked more purple than blue in the response window, but oh well).
Everyone laughed when I jumped up and down before giving them their answer.
I don’t have any pictures (camera needs new batteries) but my sisters took a lot, I might be able to get a few from them.
I saw some other funny costumes there, too. My soon-to-be BIL wore a black and white striped shirt with huge Blue Blocker sunglasses and a red-tipped white cane- a blind referee. My other BIL wore a black robe with a white collar, used a flashlight to simulate a massive erection, and carried around a candy jar- he wanted my sister to dress as a little boy, but she wouldn’t.
